Quick Overview: Choosing the right radiant tube or infrared-style heater for a pole barn depends on barn size, ceiling height, ventilation, power availability, and whether you need permanent or portable heat. The table below summarizes five suitable options selected for their radiant technology, mounting flexibility, weather resistance, and suitability for large open spaces like pole barns.
| Product | Type | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater | Carbon Infrared Electric | IP55 Rated For Indoor/Outdoor Use |
| Dr Infrared Heater DR-338 Carbon Infrared Patio Heater | Adjustable Tripod Infrared | Tripod Mounting & Multiple Power Settings |
| Ceiling Electric Outdoor Heater Wall-Mounted Hanging Patio 1500W | Ceiling/Wall Mounted Carbon Fiber Infrared | Wall/Ceiling Mount With IP65 Weatherproofing |
| Heat Storm HS-1500-OTR Infrared Heater | Plug-In Infrared Panel | Compact, IPX4 Weatherproof |
| Heat Hog 4,000 BTU Portable Propane Radiant Space Heater | Propane Radiant Heater | No Electricity Required; Portable Radiant Output |
Content Navigation
- Dr Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater
- Dr Infrared Heater DR-338 Carbon Infrared Patio Heater
- Ceiling Electric Outdoor Heater Wall-Mounted Hanging Patio 1500W
- Heat Storm HS-1500-OTR Infrared Heater
- Heat Hog 4,000 BTU Portable Propane Radiant Space Heater
- Buying Guide: Choosing A Radiant Heater For A Pole Barn
Dr Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater
The DR-238 Is A Carbon Infrared Electric Unit Rated IP55 For Both Indoor And Outdoor Use, Which Makes It Appropriate For Pole Barn Environments Where Dust And Occasional Moisture Exposure Occur.
- Mounting & Placement: Designed For Wall Or Ceiling Mounting In Outdoor Patios; Can Be Positioned To Direct Heat Across Work Areas In A Pole Barn.
- Power Settings: Three Power Levels (900W, 1200W, 1500W) Provide Adjustability Based On Barn Size And Ceiling Height.
- Operation: Standard 120V Plug-In Design; Remote Control Included For Convenience.
- Heat Type: Carbon Infrared Produces Direct Radiant Heat That Warms Surfaces And Occupants Rather Than Relying On Air Temperature Alone.
For Pole Barns With Electrical Access And A Need For Focused Radiant Heating Near Workstations Or Doorways, This Unit Offers A Weather-Resistant Option That Is Simple To Install And Use.
Dr Infrared Heater DR-338 Carbon Infrared Patio Heater
The DR-338 Adds Portability With An Adjustable Tripod And A Long Extension Cord, Making It Suitable For Temporary Or Flexible Heating Needs In A Pole Barn.
Call 888-896-7031 for Free Local HVAC Quotes – Compare and Save Today!
- Mounting Options: Adjustable Aluminum Tripod For Freestanding Use, Or Hardware Is Available For Fixed Mounting.
- Power & Control: Three Power Settings (900W, 1200W, 1500W) And A 12.5-Foot Extension Cord Allow Placement Away From Fixed Outlets.
- Weather Rating: IP55 Rated For Indoor Or Outdoor Use; Built For Dust And Light Water Resistance.
- Heat Delivery: Infrared Carbon Element Provides Instant, Odorless Radiant Heat With Minimal Air Movement.
The Tripod Design Is Helpful When You Need To Move Heat To Different Workstations Or To Provide temporary warmth while doing projects inside a pole barn.
Ceiling Electric Outdoor Heater Wall-Mounted Hanging Patio 1500W
This Carbon Fiber Tube Infrared Heater Is Built For Fixed Ceiling Or Wall Mounting, Offering High Efficiency And Greater Weather Resistance With An IP65 Rating.
- Installation Flexibility: Includes Brackets For Wall Or Ceiling Mounting, Allowing Heat Coverage Across Open Barn Bays.
- Efficiency & Speed: 1500W Output With Claimed 98% Efficiency And 1-Second Fast Heating For Immediate Radiant Warmth.
- Controls: Remote Control And Wi‑Fi Capability Provide Scheduling, Multiple Heat Levels, And 24-Hour Timers.
- Durability: Metal Rustproof Housing And IP65 Weatherproof Rating Support Use In Semi-Exposed Barn Areas.
This Model Fits Pole Barns Where Permanent Mounted Infrared Heat Is Preferred, Especially Where Weatherproofing And Remote Scheduling Improve usability.
Heat Storm HS-1500-OTR Infrared Heater
The Heat Storm HS-1500-OTR Is A Compact Plug-In Infrared Panel That Provides Instant Radiant Heat And Has An IPX4 Weather-Resistant Rating For Protected Outdoor Or Semi-Exposed Locations.
Call 888-896-7031 for Free Local HVAC Quotes – Compare and Save Today!
- Plug-And-Play: 110V Plug-In Design Enables Easy Installation In Pole Barns With Standard Outlets.
- Heat Characteristics: Infrared Heat Warms Objects Rather Than Only Heating Air, Useful For Drafty Or Tall-Bay Barns.
- Weather Resistance: IPX4 Protection Against Water Spray; Suitable For Sheltered Barn Areas But Not Fully Exposed Installations.
- Use Cases: Good For Localized Heating Near Workbenches, Tack Rooms, Or Animal Care Areas Within A Pole Barn.
Where Simplicity And Quick Deployment Matter, This Unit Offers a straightforward infrared solution for pole barns with available electrical circuits.
Heat Hog 4,000 BTU Portable Propane Radiant Space Heater
The Heat Hog Is A Small Propane Radiant Heater That Generates 4,000 BTU Of Radiant Heat Without Requiring Electricity—Useful For Remote Or Unwired Pole Barns.
- Fuel Type: Runs On 1 lb LP Cylinder, Making It Independent Of Electrical Supply.
- Output & Coverage: Rated For Approximately 100 Square Feet Of Direct Radiant Heat; Angled Head Improves Directional Coverage.
- Portability: Compact, Lightweight Design For Moving To Specific Work Areas Or Stalls.
- Use Scenarios: Ideal For Short-Term Tasks, Outdoor Work, Or Emergency Heat During Power Outages.
When Electricity Is Limited Or Permanently Installed Heaters Aren’t Feasible, A Propane Radiant Unit Provides on-demand heat for targeted spots inside a pole barn.
Buying Guide: Choosing A Radiant Heater For A Pole Barn
Selecting the right radiant heating solution for a pole barn requires assessing structural, operational, and safety factors. The sections below cover what to evaluate and compare.
Heat Type And How Radiant Heat Works
Radiant Heaters Transfer Energy Directly To People, Equipment And Surfaces. This Is Advantageous In Large, Drafty Spaces Because It Reduces The Need To Heat The Entire Air Volume.
- Carbon/Infrared Tubes/Panels: Electric units that produce infrared radiation; efficient for directed warming and long-term installed use.
- Propane Radiant: Gas-fired radiant units provide powerful localized heat without electricity; suitable for remote barns or backup heat.
Power Source And Installation Constraints
Assess Available Power: 120V Portable Units Are Easier To Install; 240V Or Hardwired Radiant Tube Heaters May Deliver More Power But Need Professional Wiring.
- Electric Plug-In: Quicker And Safer For DIY Installation; suitable for smaller areas or multiple distributed units.
- Hardwired/Ceiling Mount: Better For Permanent Mounted Coverage In Large Bays; plan wiring and support structure accordingly.
- Propane: Requires Fuel Storage, Ventilation, And Compliance With Local Codes; no need for electrical power.
Coverage And Placement
Estimate The Effective Radiant Radius Based On Wattage/BTU And Ceiling Height. Radiant Heat Effectiveness Drops With Distance And Obstruction.
- Mount Height: Lower Mounted Panels Provide More Direct Surface Heating; higher ceilings require higher output or focused directional units.
- Number Of Units: For Large Pole Barns, Multiple Units Distributed Along Bays Provide More Even Coverage Than A Single High-Capacity Unit.
- Directional Control: Units With Adjustable Angles Or Tripod Mounts Allow Better Targeting Of Work Areas.
Weather Resistance And Durability
Pole Barns Often Experience Dust, Moisture, And Temperature Swings. Choose A Heater With Appropriate Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings Or Weatherproof Housings.
- IP55/IP65/IPX4: Higher IP Ratings Offer Better Protection Against Dust And Water; IP65 Is Stronger For Outdoor Exposure Than IPX4.
- Rust-Resistant Materials: Metal Rustproof Housings And Coatings Extend Service Life In Semi-Exposed Barns.
Safety Features And Codes
Consider Overheat Protection, Tip-Over Switches (For Portable Units), Thermostatic Controls, And Compliance With UL/Local Safety Standards.
- Overheat Cutoffs: Prevent Component Damage And Fire Risk.
- Tip-Over Protection: Important For Portable Infrared And Propane Devices In Work Environments.
- Ventilation And Fuel Safety: Propane Units Require Proper Venting And CO Monitoring If Used In Enclosed Spaces.
Energy Efficiency And Operating Costs
Compare Wattage Or BTU Output Relative To Coverage. Radiant Units Often Report High Thermal Efficiency Because They Heat Objects Instead Of Entire Volumes.
- Electric Units: Offer Predictable Electrical Consumption; efficiency depends on how effectively radiant energy reaches occupants or work areas.
- Propane Units: Provide strong localized heat without electricity but require fuel management and monitoring of fuel costs.
Control Options And Convenience
Modern Heaters Offer Remotes, Timers, Thermostats, And Wi‑Fi Controls For Scheduling And Zonal Heating.
- Remote/Wi‑Fi: Helpful For Adjusting Settings Without Climbing Ladders In A Pole Barn.
- Thermostats: Maintain Target Surface Temperatures And Reduce Energy Waste.
Comparison Perspectives
Make Decisions Based On Use Case:
- Work-Focused Heating: Prefer Directional Infrared Panels Or Tripod Units To Heat Benches And Tool Areas.
- Whole-Barn Comfort: Multiple Ceiling-Mounted Infrared Tubes Or Panels Distributed Across Bays Deliver More Even Warmth.
- Temporary Or Remote Use: Portable Propane Radiant Heaters Offer Mobility And Independence From Electrical Supply.
- Animal Care Areas: Choose Units With Stable Thermostatic Control, Low Surface Temperatures, And IP Ratings Suitable For Hay-Dust Environments.
Installation And Maintenance Tips
- Follow Manufacturer Mounting Guidelines And Maintain Recommended Clearance From Combustible Materials.
- Securely Fasten Ceiling-Mounted Units To Structural Members; verify load-bearing capacity for long radiant tubes.
- Regularly Clean Reflectors And Heating Elements From Dust And Cobwebs To Preserve Efficiency.
- Inspect Fuel Connections And Ventilation For Propane Units Before Each Season.
Use These Factors To Match The Heater Type, Output, And Mounting Style To Your Specific Pole Barn Dimensions, Power Availability, And Intended Use Cases.
Tips for Getting the Best HVAC Prices
- Prioritize Quality Over Cost
The most critical factor in any HVAC project is the quality of the installation. Don’t compromise on contractor expertise just to save money. - Check for Rebates
Always research current rebates and incentives — they can significantly reduce your overall cost. - Compare Multiple Quotes
Request at least three estimates before making your choice. You can click here to get three free quotes from local professionals. These quotes include available rebates and tax credits and automatically exclude unqualified contractors. - Negotiate Smartly
Once you've chosen a contractor, use the proven strategies from our guide — How Homeowners Can Negotiate with HVAC Dealers — to get the best possible final price.